OLG’s discretion questioned

If city councillors think they can vote for a casino with a qualified “yes” in the hopes that some community benefits will get attached to the deal, then they’re dreaming. Once they vote “yes,” it’s all in OLG’s hands and I have no faith in OLG to go get good, locally sourced union jobs or any revenue for the local community into a mega-casino plan.

I simply don’t believe OLG even considers the impacts of depositing such a massive wasteland into any city. OLG exists in order to plump up provincial coffers. Besides that, there is no good example of a community or city that actually benefts from the addition of a casino. There are, on the other hand, endless ideas for what can be done on the CNE grounds, the Portlands, and the Woodbine site.

I’m all for a Hail Mary when needed in a football game, but we are not desperate, and this is not a football game. It’s about building a livable city. A mega-casino in Toronto is a gamble I’m not willing to take.

Kristy Davidson, Toronto

I susoect a lot of Toronto residents like myself would happily support a casino in this city if it is made clear that every dime of revenue will go directly to subway construction.

In fact, because Paul Godfrey seems somewhat desperate for a casino here, perhaps Mayor Rob Ford could play hardball and insist that one-third of the provincial revenues also be dedicated to GTA transit.

Enough talking and planning. Let’s get the shovels in the ground — for a casino and a subway.